Kamm Island cool

Annual Mishawaka fest offers music, food.

Annual Mishawaka fest offers music, food.

July 25, 2006|LAUREEN FAGAN Tribune Staff Writer

Mishawaka played host to hundreds of people Wednesday evening during the city's annual Kamm Island fest. The evening event, held on a hot and humid night in the park along the St. Joseph River, attracted young and old alike for music, food and the chance to visit with friends. As the Steve Foresman Band played a cover of a 1970s-era Carly Simon song, Amy Melton and David Elie enjoyed food from Riverside Terrace catering service. Melton chose the sirloin kabobs and sautéed vegetables with rice, praising the food. "It was excellent," she said. What brought them out? "We live over there," said Melton, who works in social services. "Just across the river," added Elie, who said he works in computers. "Now, we're about ready to get some barbecue," said Melton, who sipped a cup of Barefoot Merlot and planned to visit the Tailgate booth. Others came to look at the art on display, including Carrie Kobb and Brandon Banghart, of Mishawaka. "We've got a friend who's got an art booth," explained Kobb, a 28-year-old who works at Starz Academy. "We like to do a lot of festivals." Banghart, who works at the Farmer's Market in South Bend, said the Kamm Island setting was attractive. "It's really nice down here," the 26-year-old said. "It's a lot nicer than it used to be." At the information booth, Julie De Keizer, the aide to Mayor Jeff Rea, offered literature on the Mishawaka Business Association. The mayor was expected to attend, though she'd not yet seen him, De Keizer said. At a table with friends, John Moore, president of the Mishawaka High School Alumni Association, offered a beer to a friend passing by. "We've been to this every year and always enjoyed it," Moore explained.Staff writer Laureen Fagan: lfagan@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6344